Slope control console

ABSTRACT

A slope control console having a case, a gravity-type slope sensor mounted therein for rotation about a horizontal axis relative to the case, an indicator wheel for indicating the inclination of the sensor relative to the case, and a manually operable gear train interconnecting the indicator wheel and the sensor such that upon operation of the gear train the indicator wheel and the sensor are simultaneously rotated with the indicator wheel being moved through a relatively large increment of rotation in response to the sensor being rotated through a relatively small increment of rotation. Provision is also made in the case for ready access to manually operable sensitivity adjustment means carried by the sensor.

United States Patent [191 Burgin June 18, 1974 SLOPE CONTROL CONSOLEPrimary ExaminerLouis R. Prince [76] Inventor: Luther B. Burgin,P.O.'Box 635, Assistant Examiner charles Phillips Poplar Bluff, Mo.63901 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Koenig, Senniger, Powers and Leavitt [22]Filed: June 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 265,235 ABSTRACT A slope controlconsole having a case, a gravity-type 52] CL 33/366 slope sensor mountedtherein for rotation about a hor- [51] Int Cl C 9/20 izontal axisrelative to the case, an indicator wheel for [58] Fie'ld "33/366 3 385378 indicating the inclination of the sensor relative to the 94/216 b. 6case, and a manually operable gear train interconnecting the indicatorwheel and the sensor such that upon [56] References Cited operation ofthe gear train the indicator wheel and the sensor are simultaneouslyrotated with the indicator UNITED STATES PATENTS wheel being movedthrough a relatively large increlvarson men: of rotation in response toensor bging r g; y

tated through a relatively small increment of rotation. 6 Provision isalso made in the case for ready access to 3,564,531 2/l97l Burgln340/282 manually Operable sensitivity adjustment means Car ried by thesensor.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 35 33 I? EF--- t V g 997 I3 1 68 4 as 3 a li i ll VOLTS /85 .Ill n GL4? 4 D PATENIEDJuu I 8 m4 SHEEI 2 [If 3 SLOPECONTROL CONSOLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to aslope control console adapted to be mounted on an element of a machine,such as on a paver or on a road grader, for sensing the slope of theelement. More particularly, this invention is concerned with such aslope control console having a gravity-type slope sensor mountedtherein.

Slope sensors are often used on asphalt pavers, road graders, or onother types of construction equipment to automatically control anelement of the machine for forming a surface having a desired slope(i.e., the inclination of the surface transverse of the direction oftravel of the machine). Reference may be made to my U.S. Pat. Nos.3,564,531 and 3,564,986 respectively illustrating a slope sensor mountedon the blade of a road grader for controlling the slope of the blade anda slope sensor supported from the screed of an asphalt paver forcontrolling the slope and twist of the screed for maintaining a desiredtransverse slope of the paving material being laid.

Gravity-type slope sensors are generally of two types, viz., the firstbeing a pendulum-type sensor, such as i]- lustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,029,715, 3,264,959 and 3,334,560, in which gravity maintains apendulum in a vertical reference position and movement of structurerelative to the pendulum as occasioned by a change in slope generates asignal indicating a change of slope; and the second type being a mercurysensor such as illustrated in my above-mentioned '531 patent in which avolume of mercury within a container shifts relative to the containerupon a change in slope of the container to make electrical contactbetween contact elements in the container thereby to generate a signalindicating a change in slope.

More generally, the gravity sensing elements of conventional slopesensors have been mounted in rigid cases to protect them from theweather and damage. These sensors often have provision for adjusting thesensitivity of the sensor to small changes in slope. It is oftentimesdesirable or necessary to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor ifvibration or bouncing of the machine on which it is mounted causes thesensor to indicate falsely that the element of the machine has deviatedfrom its desired slope. With the slope sensor mounted within the case,it has been difficult to adjust its sensitivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of this invention maybe noted the provision of a slope control console in which agravity-type slope sensor is mounted in a case for protection fromdamage and moisture; the provision of such a console which providesready access to the sensitivity adjustment of the sensor carriedtherein; the provision of such a console in which the inclination of thesensor relative to the console may be easily and accurately varied; theprovision of such a console in which manual operation of a singlecontrol simultaneously effects a change in the inclination of the sensorrelative to the case and provides an accurate indication of the changein inclination; the provision of such a console which may readily besecured to or removed from an element of the machine; and the provisionof such a console wh;ch is of rugged and economical construction. Otherobjects and features of this invention will be in part apparent and inpart pointed out hereinafter.

Briefly, a slope control console of this invention comprises a caseadapted to be secured to a machine, such as a paver or a road grader. Asensor is carried within the case for sensing the inclination of thecase relative to a predetermined slope, the sensor being movable withthe case for sensing the inclination of the case relative to thepredetermined slope and being rotatable about a horizontal axis relativeto the case for changing the predetermined slope within a specifiedrange. Means is provided for adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor,these means extending from the sensor and being rotatable therewith. Anopening in the case provides ready access to the sensitivity adjustmentmeans, this opening being of sufficient size to permit operation of thesensitivity adjustment means with the sensor at any-rotational positionrelative to the case within the specified range, and a cover is providedfor closing the opening. Means for indicating the slope of the sensorrelative to the case is provided as is means for effecting rotation ofthesensor throughout its specified range to a desired position relativeto the case for establishing the above said predetermined slope. Amanually operable gear train interconnects the indicating means and thesensor, the gear train being operable simulta neously to effect rotationof the sensor relative to the case movement of the indicator with theindicating means being moved through a relatively large increment ofmovement in response to said sensor being rotated through a relativelysmall increment of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front elevation of a slopecontrol console of this invention removably secured to an element of amachine;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 1 with the front cover of theconsole removed and with parts broken away; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal secion on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, aslope control console of this invention indicated in its entirety at lis shown to be removably mounted on an adjustable cradle 3 carried by anelement E of a machine (e.g., on the screed of a paver or on the bladeof a road grader). Generally, the console comprises a moisture-proofmetal case 5 having integral back, top, bottom, and side wallsrespectively indicated at 7, ,9, l1, and 13, and a front cover 15removably secured to the front edges of the walls by screws 17. Asupport plate 19 parallel to and spaced from the back wall is rigidlysecured to support bosses 21 projecting forwardly from the back wall.

A gravity-type slope sensor generally indicated at 23 is carried by amounting yoke 25 for movement with case 5 thereby to sense theinclination of the case relative to a predetermined slope. The mountingyoke is joumalled in back wall 7 and support plate 19 as indicated at 27and 29, respectively (see FIG. 3), for rotation of the sensor about agenerally horizontal axis relative to the case for varying thepredetermined slope within a specified range (e.g., percent slope from ahorizontal position). A manually operable gear train generally indicatedat 31 is provided within the console for effecting rotation of thesensor throughout its specitied range to any desired position relativeto the case thereby to establish the predetermined slope. The gear trainalso simultaneously drives an indicator wheel 33 having indicia I (e.g.,markings indicating the slope in percent) thereon viewable from theexterior of the case via a window 35 in front cover for indicating theslope or inclination of the sensor relative to the case. Window 35 hasan indicating line 36 scribed thereon for registration with indicia Ienabling an operator to easily and accurately read the slope of thesensor relative to the case. The gear train interconnects the sensor andthe indicator wheel in such manner that operation of the gear trainsimultaneously rotates the sensor relative to the case through arelatively small incremenet of rotation (e.g., I") and rotates theindicator wheel through a relatively large increment of rotation (e.g.,25) in a manner as will appear.

More particulary, sensor 23 is preferably a slope sensor such asdescribed in my above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,531. As shown inFIG. 2, this sensor comprises a nonconductive container 37 having aclosed chamber 39 therein. A volume of an electrically conductive liquid41, such as mercury, is provided within the chamber with sufficient airspace above the mercury to permit it to move relative to the containerupon a change in the inclination of the container. A first electricalcontact element 43 is carried by the container adjacent the bottom ofthe chamber submerged below the mercury and in electrical contacttherewith. A pair of electrical contact elements 45 (only one of whichis shown) is carried by the container, each being adjacent a respectiveouter end of a chamber and being located above the level of the mercurywhen the container is in a generally horizontal position. Contact 43 isconnected in series with each contact 45 with the mercury constituting aswitch element such that upon tilting of the sensor from its horizontalposition the mercury flows toward one end of the chamber and makescontact with the contact element 45 at the lower end of the chamber andcompletes the circuit between the lower contact element 45 and contactelement 43. The electrical signal thus generated by tilting of thecontainer may be utilized to automatically control the slope of themachine element E such as is more fully explained in my above-mentionedU.S. Pat. No. 3,564,986. Tilting of the console also energizes anappropriate indicator lamp 47 (see FIG. 1) to provide a visualindication of the slope deviation so that an operator may manually makeappropriate adjustments to return the machine element E to its desiredslope.

Sensor 23 is provided with means generally indicated at 49 for manuallyadjusting the sensitivity of the sensor to small changes of inclinationof container 37 relative to the horizontal. This sensitivity adjustmentmeans comprises a displacement member 51 carried by container 37 forvertical movement within chamber 39 for displacing mercury in thechamber and thus varying the level of the mercury therein. Thedisplacement member 51 is vertically moved by a manually operableadjustment screw arrangement including a stem 53 extending from thecontainer and a knob 55 on the stem for facilitating operation of theadjustment arrangement. By turning knob 55 in one direction, thedisplacement member is lowered into the chamber displacing mercurytoward the ends of the chamber and raising the level of the mercurythereby to increase the sensitivity of the sensor because lessinclination of the container from the horizontal is required before themercury makes contact with the contact elements at the ends of thechamber. Conversely, by turning the knob in the opposite direction, thedisplacement member is raised, thus lowering the level of the mercurywithin the chamber and decreasing the sensitivity of the sensor to smallchanges in inclination from the horizontal.

An opening 57 in top wall 9 of case 5 provides ready access toadjustment knob regardless of the inclination of the sensor relative tothe case. As shown in FIG. 2, knob 55 extends through opening 57 and ismovable between a generally vertical position when the sensor isgenerally horizontal relative to the case and in inclined position(shown in phantom in FIG. 2) when the sensor is rotated from itshorizontal position. A cover 59 is pivotally mounted on the top wall asindicated at 61 for closing the opening, the cover permitting movementof the sensitivity adjustment arrangement when the cover closes theopening for protecting the interior of the case from dirt and moisture.The cover is spring biased toward its closed position.

Gear train 31 includes a first gear or pinion 63 fixed on a shaft 65journalled in support plate 19 and extending forwardly through a hole 66in front cover 15. A rubber seal 67 surrounding shaft 65 is provided inhole 66 to prevent moisture from entering the console via the hole. Aknob 68 is secured to the free ends of shaft 65 for manually operatingthe gear train. Pinion 63 drives an intermediate cluster gear generallyindicated at 69 journalled on the support plate. Indicator wheel 33,heretofore described, is constituted by a relatively large diameter gearof the cluster gear disposed above the upper face of the support platein mesh with pinion 63. The cluster gear further includes a driving gear71 below the bottom face of the support plate and a countershaft 73rigidly coupling the indicator wheel and the driving gear together, thecountershaft being journalled in the support plate. A last gear 75 iskeyed on a shaft 77 rotatably carried by back wall 7 and support plate19, this last gear being driven by gear 71. Shaft 77 has a crank 79secured thereto for rotation with the shaft. The crank carries a pin 81engageable with a slot 83 in an end portion of mounting yoke 25 distalfrom its pivot points 27 and 29 thereby to interconnect the sensor tothe last gear of the gear train.

The ratio between the diameters of gears 71 and 7S and between the linksof crank arms 79 and the distance from pivots 27, 29 and slot 81provides for multiplication of the rotation of the indicator wheel 33relative to rotation of the sensor. By way of example, indicator wheel33 must be rotated through an arc of 25 to effect a 1 change in theinclination of the sensor relative to the case. As shown in FIG. 2, theindicia I on indicator wheel 33 indicates the inclination of the sensorrelative to the case in terms of percent grade. The multiplication ofmovement between the indicator wheel and the sensor thus enables smallchanges in the inclination of the sensor to be accurately and easilyaccomplished.

Console 1 is removably secured by a pair of springloaded latches 83 (seeFIG. 1) to cradle 3 engageable with lugs 85 on side walls 13 of case 5.These quickrelease latches permit the console to be readily removed fromthe machine to prevent the theft of or damage to the console when themachine is not in use. The cradle is pivotally carried by the machineelement E, as indicated at 87, and has adjustment screws 89 threadedthrough each of its outer ends. These adjustment screws are engageablewith the upper surface of the machine element and are operable to rotatethe cradle and the console about pivot 87 thereby to effect leveling ofthe console relative to the element.

In operation, with console ll carrid by element E of a machine and withthe console connected to appropriate automatic controls for effecting achange of slope of the element in response to receiving a signal fromthe control console (such as described in detail in my above-mentioned'531 and '986 patents), knob 68 on the front cover 15 of the console isturned until a predetermined slope (e.g., a 4 percent slope) of theelement is indicated by indicia l on indicator wheel 33. Operation ofthe knob simultaneously effects a relatively large increment of movementof the indicator wheel and a relatively small increment of rotation ofsensor 23 relative to the case. As the sensor rotates from itshorizontal position, it generates a signal indi eating in whichdirection the element must be tilted to attain its desired slope. Thesensor will continue to generate this signal until the slope of theelement is changed a sufficient amount to again restore the sensor to agenerally horizontal position. When the sensor again attains itshorizontal position, the signal generated thereby is interrupted andmovement of the element ceases, and thus element E and case 5 arepositioned at their predetermined slope. As the element moves along withthe machine, any deviation of the element from its predetermined slopeas may be occasioned by movement of the machine causes correspondingmovement of the case and container 37 mounted for movement with thecase. This movement is sensed by sensor 23 causing an appropriate signalto be generated to effect movement of the element toward its desiredslope. The sensitivity of sensor 23 may be readily adjusted at any timemerely by opening cover 59 and turning knob 55 in the appropriatedirection to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the sensor.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

l. A slope control console comprising:

a case adapted to be mounted on a machine such as a paver or a grader;

a sensor within the case for sensing the inclination of the caserelative to a predetermined slope, said sensor being movable with thecase for sensing the inclination of the case relative to saidpredetermined slope and being rotatable about a horizontal axis relativeto the case for changing said predetermined slope within a specifiedrange;

means for adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor extending from thesensor and being rotatable therewith;

an opening in said case for providing ready access to said adjustmentmeans, said opening being of sufficient size to permit manual operationof the sensitivity adjustment means with the sensor at any rotationalposition relative to the case within said specified range;

a cover for closing said opening;

means for indicating the inclination of said sensor relative to saidcase;

means for effecting rotation of said sensor throughout its saidspecified range to a desired position relative to the case forestablishing said predetermined slope; and

a manually operable gear train constituting said means for effectingrotation of the sensor, said gear train interconnecting the indicatingmeans and the sensor and being operable simultaneously to effectrotation of the sensor relative to the case and movement of theindicating means with said indicating means being moved through arelatively large increment of rotation in response to said sensor beingrotated through a relatively small increment of rotation, said geartrain having a first gear constituting a driver manually operable fromthe exterior of said case, at least one intermediate gear, and a lastgear interconnected with said sensor for rotation of said sensor aboutsaid horizontal axis in response to operation of the gear train, saidindicating means comprising indicia on the face of said intermediategear viewable from the exterior of the case for registering theinclination of the sensor relative to the case, said intermediate gearrotating through an angle substantially greater than the angle throughwhichsaid sensor is rotated in response to operation of the gear trainto provide said large increment of movement of the indicating meansrelative to said small increment of rotation of the sensor.

2. A slope control console as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensorcomprises a chamber for holding a volume of conductive liquid, such asmercury, and said sensitivity adjustment means comprises a membercarried by the sensor for vertical movement within the chamber to varythe depth of the conductive liquid, and rotatable screw adjustment meansextending from the sensor operable to effect vertical movement of saidmember.

3. A slope control console as set forth in claim 1 further comprisingquick-release means for releasably securing the case to said themachine.

4. A slope control console as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lastgear is interconnected with said sensor by means of a pin-and-slotconnection.

1. A slope control console comprising: a case adapted to be mounted on amachine such as a paver or a grader; a sensor within the case forsensing the inclination of the case relative to a predetermined slope,said sensor being movable with the case for sensing the inclination ofthe case relative to said predetermined slope and being rotatable abouta horizontal axis relative to the case for changing said predeterminedslope within a specified range; means for adjusting the sensitivity ofthe sensor extending from the sensor and being rotatable therewith; anopening in said case for providing ready access to said adjustmentmeans, said opening being of sufficient size to permit manual operationof the sensitivity adjustment means with the sensor at any rotationalposition relative to the case within said specified range; a cover forclosing said opening; means for indicating the inclination of saidsensor relative to said case; means for effecting rotation of saidsensor throughout its said specified range to a desired positionrelative to the case for establishing said predetermined slope; and amanually operable gear train constituting said means for effectingrotation of the sensor, said gear train interconnecting the indicatingmeans and the sensor and being operable simultaneously to effectrotation of the sensor relative to the case and movement of theindicating means with said indicating means being moved through arelatively large increment of rotation in response to said sensor beingrotated through a relatively small increment of rotation, said geartrain having a first gear constituting a driver manually operable fromthe exterior of said case, at least one intermediate gear, and a lastgear interconnected with said sensor for rotation of said sensor aboutsaid horizontal axis in response to operation of the gear train, saidindicating means comprising indicia on the face of said intermediategear viewable from the exterior of the case for registering theinclination of the sensor relative to the case, said intermediate gearrotating through an angle substantially greater than the angle throughwhich saiD sensor is rotated in response to operation of the gear trainto provide said large increment of movement of the indicating meansrelative to said small increment of rotation of the sensor.
 2. A slopecontrol console as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises achamber for holding a volume of conductive liquid, such as mercury, andsaid sensitivity adjustment means comprises a member carried by thesensor for vertical movement within the chamber to vary the depth of theconductive liquid, and rotatable screw adjustment means extending fromthe sensor operable to effect vertical movement of said member.
 3. Aslope control console as set forth in claim 1 further comprisingquick-release means for releasably securing the case to said themachine.
 4. A slope control console as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidlast gear is interconnected with said sensor by means of a pin-and-slotconnection.